The Law & Order franchise debuted over 30 years ago and has been a constant presence in primetime network television ever since. Between the original Law and Order, L&O: Special Victims Unit and L&O: Criminal Intent, there have been 52 combined seasons of programing, totaling 1,135 episodes of police procedural excellence. The show has given us some of the longest running and beloved characters in TV history. In this post I will be ranking every police personality (Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, Detective and Jr. Detective) ever featured in the main cast of the 3 tentpole L&O series.
38. Joseph Hannah – Captain, Criminal Intent (9 episodes) – portrayed by Jay O. Sanders
Hannah has the dubious distinction of being the lowest ranked character on the list. Although there was nothing terribly off putting about him in his time as Captain it was a wildly forgettable run as the head of the Major Case Squad. His one big moment was reinstating Goren and Eames(Thank God) for the 10th and final seas of CI.
37. Chester Lake – Detective, SVU (21 episodes) – portrayed by Adam Beach
Woof. Something about Lake never clicked. He was partnered with Finn in season 9 of SVU. For a detective transferring from Brooklyn’s sex crime unit, he was never able to handle the pressure of the job. Did I mention that he also goes rogue and murders a released suspect after perjuring himself leading to a mistrial? Not great, enjoy jail Lake.
36. Nola Falacci – Detective, CI (5 episodes) – portrayed by Alicia Witt
Falacci had a short run as Logan’s partner on season 7 of CI. She bounced around from unit to unit before her brief stint in Manhattan Major Crimes. She was wildly frustrating to watch because she lacked any sense of priority and constantly got into it with her superiors. After 5 episodes she leaves to train at Quantico. Good riddance.
35. Danielle Beck – Detective, SVU(6 episodes) – portrayed by Connie Nielson
I’m regretting that I wasted my “woof” on Lake. Dani sucked. She was way over her head from day 1. The only reason that she isn’t ranked last is because her heart was in the right place and had some fairly memorable moments. Mainly her drunken make out sesh with recently separated Stabler. I’m sorry Dani, I don’t care that they aren’t together. If you’re frenching Elliot, your name better be Kathy and the mother of his 37 kids.
34. Zack Nichols- Senior Detective, CI (24 episodes) – portrayed by Jeff Goldblum
Nichols had a few things working against him from jump. First, he came in as a replacement for Logan in season 8. Logan is a L&O legend and anyone trying to fill those shoes will have a rough go. Second and more importantly, CI already has genius, meticulous and deliberate detective in Goren. Nichols seemed like a Goren impersonator but with not enough back story or substance.
33. Serena Stevens- Detective, CI (15 episodes) – portrayed by Saffron Burrows
Stevens had the unfortunate draw of getting Nichols as a partner when she entered the scene season 9. Because of that pairing, Stevens often took a back seat and you never got to see her truly flourish. She was likeable but you can only go so far as the strait man for Jeff Goldblum.
32. Nina Cassady – Junior Detective, Homicide 27th precinct (23 episodes) – portrayed by Milena Govich
Cassady had a rough go of it during her time at the 27th precinct. She was green and Van Buren didn’t want her on the squad. Her in experience showed as she clashed with the long-time Captain over being unprofessional and botched a major interrogation after losing her temper. She gets points for being the first and only female detective in the shows 20 season run.
31. Declan G. Murphy- Lieutenant, SVU (8 episodes) – portrayed by Donal Logue
It’s been a while but I don’t think that we’ve seen the last of Murphy. We were introduced to him on an undercover assignment where was running an illegal gambling ring. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is fiercely loyal. He was put in charge of SVU for a few episodes at a turbulent time and pulled the squad through. And lest we forget that he is Rollin’s baby daddy.
30. Carolyn Barek – Junior Detective, CI (12 episodes) – portrayed by Annabella Sciorra
Barek was awesome, but we didn’t have a big enough sample size. She was a star in season 5, transferring over to Major Case after 2 years with the FBI as a Criminal profiler. She was incredibly intelligent, speaking 7 languages. Lucky for us, Dick Wolf agrees with Barek’s value as she will be returning to the L&O franchise for the first time in 15 years as she joins SVU in season 22. She could soar up the rankings with a bit more development.
29. Monique Jeffries – Detective, SVU (22 episodes) – portrayed by Michelle Hurd
This was a hard one for me. Jeffries is a OG SVU detective so she gets sentimental points. It was a brief but impactful stint that saw her get traumatized in a car explosion leading to her sleeping with an assault suspect. She is eventually relegated to desk duty before she quits and sues the NYPD. It was a tough look at the mental anguish that could be caused by being injured in the line of duty.
28. Megan Wheeler – Detective, CI (24 episodes) – Portrayed by Julianne Nicholson
Wheeler was Logan’s partner on with Major Case seasons 6-7 and tried to real in Nichols in season 8. She was a good cop with a clean record and was paired well with Logan. The actress Nicholson’s real life pregnancy was written into the show and eventually led to her exit.
27. Katriona “Kat” Tamin – Detective, SVU (24 episodes) – portrayed by Jamie Gray Hyder
We’re going to have to file Kat under TBD. She joined the SVU season 21 by catching a serial rapist. She’s eager, and willing to put herself in harms way to get her perp. We don’t have enough tape on her to move her up the list yet.
26. Nick Falco – Junior Detective, Homicide 27th precinct(6 episodes) – portrayed by Michael Imperioli
Falco was a shooting star that shined bright across the night sky. I might be guilty of bias here because Imperioli joined the cast shortly after during the peak of the Sopranos run. In his final appearance he is framed for murder before eventually being exonerated in a whirlwind season 16 premiere. Nick Falco, we hardly knew you.
25. Zoe Callas- Captain, CI (14 episodes) – portrayed by Mary Elizabeth Mastrontonio
Callas was the model captain. She did her job fairly and efficiently. Demanded the respect of her squad and the brass. She took on the impossible task of leading a unit after her predecessor was murdered. She does the job like its supposed to be done.
24. Mike Dodds- Sargent, SVU(17 episodes) – Portrayed by Andy Karl
Talk about a gut-wrenching arch. Dodds comes into SVU in season 17 under great scrutiny because he is the deputy chief’s son(who Liv and has butted heads with). He quickly proves that the job was earned and not gifted to him by his father. Dodds reveals that he leaving the department for a federal job only to be called into a hostage situation where he is shot and killed. His presence is felt for years to come in the show.
23. Max Greevy- Sargent, Homicide 27th Precinct(22 episodes) – portrayed by George Dzundza
Greevy is another case of “what if?”. He was NYPD dating back to the 60’s and the perfect attitude kick off the first season of the entire franchise. Problem was when the actor, George Dzundza, signed onto the show he was under the impression that he was going to be the main character. L&O is built on an ensemble cast which lead to Dzundza being tough to handle. He quit he show after the first season and the Greevy character was rewarded by being shot to death with his back to the camera.
22. Phil Cerreta – Detective, Homicide 27th Precinct(31 episodes) – portrayed by Paul Sorvino
Cerreta took over for Greevy and nearly befell the same fate. Cerreta was more of a charmer and used his personality to his advantage in his investigation. In his last appearance in season 3 he is shot in the spine and relegated to desk duty.
21. Kevin Bernard- Jr. Detective, Homicide 27th Precinct(50 episodes) – portrayed by Anthony Anderson
Bernard and Lupo caught tough break of being the Detective duo when the original series was cancelled. The show was still great but the NBC viewership was down across the board. Bernard’s entrance to the series was odd because he clears Green in a shooting and then takes his job almost immediately. Bernard feels like a detective that would have stuck around for 200 episodes had the show continued on.
20. Brian Cassidy- Detective, SVU (31 Episodes) – portrayed by Dean Winters
While Cassidy was only a main cast member in season 1 of SVU his presence is felt into current day. He is a likeable, light hearted cop with maybe more brawn than brain. He has an on again off again relationship with Liv that gets them entangled in controversy over the years. He walks along the fine line, but never crosses it. Would love for him to be incorporated more as a DA investigator moving forward.
19. Cyrus Lupo – Jr/Sr Detective, Homicide 27th Precinct(64 episodes) – portrayed by Jeremy Sisto
Lupo had a dark past that included alcoholism, the murder of his father and partner and the assisted suicide of his brother. He was going to night school to become a lawyer and there were big things in his future. We will never know what could have been.
18. Joe Fontana – Detective, Homicide 27th Precinct(46 episodes) – portrayed by Denis Farina
Boy oh Boy. What a treat. Fontana joined the squad after Briscoe retired in season 15. He was as old school as they come. He saw the law as a blurred line and pushed the limit right to the edge. If this was a personality ranking, Fontana would be top 5. He retired in season 16 and the actor Dennis Farina passed away in 2013.
17.Nick Amaro- Detective, SVU (96 episodes) – portrayed by Danny Pino
OK, we’ve made it to the heavy hitters. Amaro was a hot head who burst into SVU season 13 with the tall task of replacing Stabler. He was didn’t trust many people and took butted heads with almost everyone in the precinct at one point or another. He was a jealous husband and blurred moral lines in his job. He eventually moved to LA to try to make his marriage work after an up and down 4 years.
16. James Deakins- Captain, CI (111 episodes) – portrayed by Jamey Sheridan
Deakins was the longest running Captain in Criminal Intent (season 1-5), but not the most impactful. He was mostly supportive of Goren’s antics, knowing that the team he put in place would eventually get the job done. He stayed in the background but you were never in doubt that he was in charge.
15. Amanda Rollins- Jr./Sr. Detective, SVU (214 episodes) – portrayed by Kelli Giddish
Rollins is going into her 10th season as a detective with SVU. She’s seen some shit. She always seems to be in over her head and dragging people around her into the line of fire. She’s reactive, reckless and has soft spots for people that don’t have her best interests in mind. Trouble follows her around every corner and I doubt that will ever change.
14. Danny Ross – Captain, CI (61 episodes) – portrayed by Eric Bogosian
Unlike his predecessor, Ross was very involved in each case. He was incredibly smart and remarkably cultured and did not hide it. He was also the man that was tasked with being Goren’s commanding officer as he spiraling out of control. In season 9 premiere we learn that Ross had gone undercover for the FBI on a racketeering case and was murdered after being discovered. His often referenced in the final two seasons as more is discovered about the circumstances of his death.
13. Rey Curtis – Jr. Detective, Homicide 27th Precinct(95 episodes) – portrayed by Benjamin Bratt
Curtis came to the 27th precinct in season 6 after Logan is shipped off to Staten Island. He was a bit of a hot head causing issues for himself and Briscoe on multiple occasions. He showed little sympathy for any suspects and resorted to intimidation multiple times in interrogation. After 4 years at the 27 he took early retirement to take care of his sick wife, who would eventually succumb to multiple sclerosis in 2009.
12. Alexandra Eames – Detective/Lieutenant, CI(144 episodes)- Portrayed by Kathryn Ebre
What an incredible character. While many might think of her as Goren’s level headed partner, there was so much more to her. Her husband was killed in the line of duty and the murderer alluded her for more than 10 years after another man was wrongly convicted. She gave birth to her sister’s son and had to take over as captain after Ross is killed. She loyal to Goren to a fault, resigning rather than fire him from Major Case. She continues to make sporadic appearances on SVU starting a friendship with Benson.
11. Ed Green – Jr./Sr. Detective Homicide 27th Precinct(198 episodes) – portrayed by Jesse L. Martin
Ed Green. Stand up detective. Played it by the book. Could turn up the heat when needed. Dependable. Sharp. Compelling. He is a pillar of the L&O franchise.
10. Sonny Carisi – Detective, SVU (144 episodes) – Portrayed by Peter Scanavino
When Carisi joined the SVU in season 16 sporting a porn mustache, the squad and DA’s office thought he was a joke. Over the course of the season, they all came to realize that he was ambitious, strong willed and an invaluable asset to the team. He would do anything for his unit at the drop of a hat and lived for his parents, siblings and niece. While working SVU, he put himself through law school and is now acting as ADA for the precinct. He is one of a kind and will make his mark in the courthouse in coming years.
9. Mike Logan- Detective Homicide 27th Precinct, Sr. Detective CI(147 episodes) – portrayed by Christopher Noth
Logan spanned 18 years in the franchise, starting in the premiere episode as a Jr. Detective with Manhattan homicide and retiring as a Sr. Detective with the Major case squad. In his first 3 years on the with Homicide one of partners was killed in the line duty and another forced to desk duty after being shot in the spine. He gradually lost control of his temper and cold coked a city councilman resulting in him being assigned to unit on Staten Island. He made his triumphant return to the Major Case Squad as a reformed, more even keeled Sr. Detective before retiring in 2008.
8. Fin Tutuola – Detective/Sergeant SVU(462 episodes) – Portrayed by Ice-T
Fin has been on SVU since season 2 when he took over for Cassidy. Even when he isn’t the lead on a case, he makes his presence known. He brings over a ton of knowledge and resources from his days with Vice and was always savvy in interrogations. Seeing him grow and develop a relationship with his estranged son, Ken, was inspiring. The story arch with Darius Parker(Ludacris) was one of the most raw and jarring the entire series. And he’s still cookin.
7. Anita Van Buren – Lieutenant Homicide 27th Precinct(391 episodes) – S. Epatha Merkerson
Van Buren was a constant presence from season 4 through the final episode in Manhattan Homicide. She was the commanding officer of so many powerhouse cops and she did it with class. She was tough when she needed to be tough and compassionate when they moment called for it. She went to bat for her unit. In the latter years we learned much more about Van Buren, the human, after her cancer diagnosis and you can tell how much the squad cared by how they rallied around her when she shared her condition. She set the tone.
6. John Munch – Detective/Sergeant SVU(326 episodes) – portrayed by Richard Belzer
Munch spent 15 seasons in SVU after transferring from the Baltimore Homicide unit. On the surface, he seemed like an odd ball, always discussing his 4 ex-wives or different conspiracy theories. He was good for levity in a squad that saw so much evil but never let that distract from the case. His relationship with Amy Solway (Marlee Matlin), a deaf woman struggling with suicidal urges, showed his human side and how deeply he cared for those he swore to protect. He is one of a kind.
5. Robert Goren- Sr. Detective, CI (141 episodes) – portrayed by Vincent D’Onofrio
Goren was the backbone of the Criminal Intent series. Some may have found his quirky mannerisms trying but I would argue that we dig further into Goren’s backstory and mental health history than any other character across the franchise. His interrogation strategy was unmatched, twisting the criminal into a mental pretzel before an inevitable reveal that leaves them no choice but to confess. He was an encyclopedia of knowledge and undoubtedly the most complex character Law and Order has ever seen.
4. Olivia Benson – Detective/Sergeant/Lieutenant/Captain, SVU(485 episodes) – portrayed by Mariska Hargitay
Here is where the toughest decisions are going to happen. Benson has been the heart and soul of SVU since day one. We have seen her climb the ladder from detective to captain in the span of 22 years. We’ve seen her struggle with her mother’s alcoholism, knowing her father was a rapist, balancing relationships while on the job and wanting a family of her own. She is able to connect with victims and makes everyone around her feel safe. She is the perfect leader for the SVU.
3. Donald Cragen – Captain, Homicide 27th Precinct/SVU(400 episodes) – portrayed by Dann Florek
Between his time as Captain at the 27 and SVU, Donald Cragen’s time in the Law and Order-verse spanned 25 years. A QUARTER CENTURY. He is open about his sobriety and flaws that haunted him in the past. He leads by example but also as a cautionary tale of the toll the job can take on your personal life. He is celebrated by all at his retirement because he lead a clean and honest career.
P.S. I wanted to make him number 1 solely for giving us this moment.
2. Elliot Stabler – Detective, SVU (272 episodes) – portrayed by Christopher Meloni
Stabler is intense, irritable, volatile, holier than thou, stubborn, righteous and God damnit if we didn’t love him for it. No one made you feel more hatred for the perps than him and that’s because no one hated the perps more than him. He will beat you to a pulp, drive you to confession and then testify at your trial all in the same day. You might not get along with him half the time but at the end of the day there is no one else in the world you would want on your team with you back against the wall.
1.Lennie Briscoe- Detective, Homicide 27th Precinct (274 episodes) – portrayed by Jerry Orbach
When you think of NYPD Detective, Briscoe is the picture that pops into your brain. On the force in for over 35 years. Finally made detective after 10 years working a beat. He is charming but had an air about him that you knew you didn’t want to cross him. His snark kept things light but if you need to put the screws to a guy, you called him in. He had everyone on the force’s respect and was the guy that you hear legendary stories about. He personified the job and that is why he is number 1 on this list.